Floating Cube

Nelson Aldrich House, Providence
Federal Architecture
Built in 1821
43,560 sft
2016

The purpose is to develop proposals for a multi-purpose space, which will be known as “The Study”, in one of the Rhode Island Historical Society’s [RIHS] flagship historic structures, The Nelson W. Aldrich House built in 1821. The RIHS’s primary purpose is to steward historic artifacts and resources, and engage the wider community in awareness and understanding of heritage and history. The Study is intended as a space for experiential learning and exploration, as well as a venue for rotating exhibitions. Additionally, like many non-profits, the RIHS derives income from renting their premises for events, and The Study will be available for this purpose both as part of an existing suite of spaces, as well as functioning independently. The main purpose is to transform a single room in the Aldrich House, which is listed on the United States National Register of Historic places, for multiple contemporary uses.

The Nelson W. Aldrich House, also known as the Dr. S. B. Tobey house, is a Federal-style house located at 110 Benevolent Street between Cooke and George Streets, on Providence’s East Side. Built as the home for a Providence Customs Agent, it became better known as the home of Nelson W. Aldrich, a U.S. Senator from 1881 to 1911. Aldrich’s children left the house to their Rockefeller descendants, who then donated the building and grounds to the RIHS. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976. The original building is a three-story wood structure on a brick foundation with full basement and attic. The Study is 23 feet 10 inches by 15 feet 4 inches with painted sheetrock walls and wood floor from the 1890s. The room is 9 feet 10 inches high, with a sheetrock ceiling and outdated track lighting. There is a single door on the interior wall and one large set of windows on the eastern facing exterior wall. The fireplace opening remains in the north wall, though it is covered by sheetrock, and surrounds and mantel, which were demolished in the 1970s, are stored in the basement. The space is heated and cooled through floor vents.